Prime Time Monthly May 2020

PRIME TIME

May 2020

Printed on recycled paper Volume 30 | Issue 5

May 2020

Life After COVID-19 Isolation pg 6

Ask A Health Care Professional pg 4 ptpubco.com

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May 2020

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May 2020

Table of Contents FEATURES 3 NM Senior Olympics Cancels 2020 State Games 6 Savvy Senior

COLUMNS 8 Shannon Wagers 9 Prescription For A Better Life –

Dr. Barry Ramo 13 Bugman 14 The Doc Is In – Dr. Muraida 15 Herb Doc

EVERY MONTH 10 Classifieds 11 Crossword

NM Senior Olympics Cancels 2020 State Summer Games

T

he New Mexico Senior Olympics (NMSO) Board of Directors unanimously voted to cancel the 2020 Ernesto Ramos State Summer Games for safety reasons related to Covid-19 and to refund applicable registration fees.

The Board met virtually via Zoom for their regular bi-monthly meeting on Thursday, April 16, 2020. Included in the agenda was the business item on whether the State Summer Games will move forward due to the Covid-19 current status and the Governor’s order for social distancing. The Board heard many responses, concerns and notifications from athletes who have registered with the NMSO Headquarters located in Roswell, NM, regarding the cancellation of the State Summer Games planned for June 10-13th at New Mexico State University. Athletes can be assured that the Board’s decision considered many factors concerning the safety of senior athletes, volunteers and staff.

The 2020 Ernesto Ramos Summer Games are the qualifier for the 2021 National Senior Games. Executive Director Cecilia Acosta assured the Board that the National Senior Games Association (NSGA) is currently analyzing potential impacts on State Senior Games and the qualifying process. NSGA

is reviewing several potential scenarios and considering many factors. The NSGA website and recent newsletter THE LONG RUN, states “If the situation requires that changes are made to the current qualification process, NSGA will continue regular communications with our State Senior Games to share information to athletes”.

All NMSO athletes will receive an email or phone call regarding game cancellation and can expect a full refund minus any processing fees. Athletes who paid with a debit/credit card will be automatically refunded. All others will receive a check refund from NMSO. NMSO will post the official notice of Game Cancellation on the website at www.nmseniorolympics.org.

For more information on all other team tournaments scheduled for the fall, please visit the official website at www. nmseniorolympics.org or call 575.623.5777.

Other agenda items included a report on Enhance Fitness statewide evidenced based group exercise classes held at 11 sites and a report on the work plan for the FY21 state grant renewal application with NM Aging and Long Term Services. The next meeting for NMSO Board of Directors is scheduled by virtual Zoom for June 18, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

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May 2020

Ask A Health Care Professional Wei-Ann Bay, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico

with infected blood and can cause ongoing infection and illness. Hepatitis D and E are uncommon in the U.S.

n the United States, the month of May is designated as Hepatitis Awareness Month. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver and is most commonly caused by viral infections.

One of the most common hepatitis viruses is called hepatitis C (HCV).

It is estimated that 2.4 million people in the United States are living with a hepatitis C infection. In the world, that number is an astonishing 71 million people! Why should this be important to us? The answer: only 25%-30% of those who become infected will get over the infection, while the rest can have ongoing inflammation resulting in damage to the liver, liver failure or even death. HCV is one of the most common conditions leading to a liver transplant.

Who is at risk for getting a hepatitis C infection?

Today, the most common way for people to become infected is by sharing needles or other supplies that are used to inject drugs. There is also a small risk of infection from tattoos if tools are not properly cleaned. People born between 1945 and 1965, known as the baby boomer generation, are also more likely to have been infected

by HCV than other adults. Others at risk include those who received blood products before 1992, people who are on dialysis, and those born to mothers with untreated HCV.

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How do people get infected with hepatitis C? There are several different types of hepatitis viruses. You may have heard of hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Hepatitis A is generally transmitted through food and does not cause ongoing infection and illness. Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C are transmitted by contact

What can happen if hepatitis C is not treated?

HCV is known as a silent epidemic.

That is because most who are infected do not even know they have it.

Symptoms can range from none to common, non-specific complaints, such as body aches or just feeling tired.

Meanwhile, damage is being done to the liver over many years. Over time, the virus can cause serious liver problems and may even cause liver cancer or death.

What are the treatments for hepatitis C? Fortunately, many good treatments are available for HCV. In the past, treatments with interferon medicine lasted 6 months or more and caused bad side effects and not very good outcomes. But since 2011, direct anti-viral agents (DAA) have become standard treatment, and most DAA treatment plans today are interferonfree. DAAs have few side effects — most of which are mild — and have very good outcomes, curing the disease more than 95% of the time in most cases. Treatment with DAAs are usually between 8-12 weeks long.

What should my action plan be?

The most important thing you can do is talk to your primary care provider about getting tested for HCV. Earlier this year, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updated testing guidelines, expanding the testing recommendation to all adults between the ages of 18-79. All adults should be tested at least once. Those with continued risk for infection should be tested more often. Testing is done by simple blood tests. The first blood test can show if one has been infected.

The second test checks for virus counts. The second test will only be

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done if the first test was positive.

Also, ongoing liver damage can only be detected by blood testing.

What else can you do?

Currently there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. However, you can reduce your risk. Do not share personal items that could have infected blood, such as razors and toothbrushes. Do not share needles.

Avoid household contact that risks exposure to the blood of an infected person. And do not get tattoos or body piercings from an unlicensed person or business. Finally, help spread the word about HCV with your family and friends and encourage them to talk about it with their health care provider.

If you have a health question that you would like to be considered in Ask a Health Care Professional, please email AskHealthcareProfessional@ bcsbsnm.com. BCBSNM will select questions that may appear. Questions will not be personally answered. The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of BCBSNM. This column is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care.

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Dr. Wei-Ann Bay Beverly Allen Sue Jereczek Jim Miller Dr. Gerard Muraida Dr. Barry Ramo Dr. Shellie Rosen, D.O.M. Shannon Wagers

May 2020

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ith a blink of an eye, all of our lives have been turned upside down, or more appropriately outside in. No one is immune to the COVID-19 global pandemic’s devastating impact, but it’s our elderly loved ones often hit the hardest. Many who are separated & isolated in nursing facilities or cut off at home, have lost their most fragile lifeline – precious time with family and friends.

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May 2020

Life After COVID-19 Isolation

Q & A With Dr. Barry Ramo And Dr. Gerard Muraida

By Beverly Allen

B

etween the deadline for this article and the time you read it, there will have been many new changes to what the medical world knows about the novel coronavirus and the statistics surrounding the pandemic.

While some areas of the country, including New Mexico, appear to be seeing a “flattening of the curve” to the spread of COVD-19 due to stringent social isolation measures set forth by Gov. Michelle Lujan-Grisham, there are hotspots continuing to pop up in states that took more lenient social distancing measures.

Given the information we had in mid-March, Prime Time asked two of New Mexico’s top physicians to weigh in with their predictions on what life may look like once government issued stay-at-home restrictions have been lifted.

Prime Time: What do you predict the new normal will look like initially when the isolation

orders are dropped, and perhaps within the next several months or year?

Dr. Barry Ramo: We have to be suspicious that the virus is there, and our behavior has to reflect that. Seniors are going to need to be very careful. They will need to be cautious when going out, and continue to adhere to social distancing guidelines and wash their hands more. People will probably be wearing masks for the time being. There is a general perception that masks are worn to protect other people, but there is some data from previous studies that suggests masks may have some benefit in terms of protecting the person who’s wearing it.

At the moment, we lack a lot of the science (about dealing with the virus). We don’t know how long the immunity lasts if there is immunity.

We don’t have any idea how many people have been infected because there hasn’t been any testing.

There’s just so much about the virus we don’t know or understand; we

just don’t have the basic data, so it’s really hard to make the judgements that we’re hearing about how to move forward.

Dr. Gerard Muraida: I think public handshakes and hugs will be a thing of the past for the near future and that social distancing outside of the family will probably have to be carried on for months.

This is a whole new normal.

The idea that we venture out for whatever reason at any time we please is not going to be part of the new normal. We’re going to have to consider each time we leave our home and the risk, and mitigate this.

PT: In terms of the social isolation timeline, do you think it would be reasonable for the government to lift restrictions at the start of May? Dr. Ramo: There isn’t any way this is going to stop May 1. Just looking at what the experience is now in Hong Kong and some of the east Asian countries, it looks

like there may be a second wave.

We have to be very careful going out of (isolation) in a cautious way.

With the Spanish flu epidemic in 1917-1918, the second wave was actually worse than the first wave.

What we don’t want to happen with all the advances we’ve made during this time at a tremendous cost to the economy, is that if we let up too quickly, we’ll be back in the same situation, only even worse economically. So, it has to be done in a very thoughtful way.

People are frightened, and I think they’re going to be concerned about infection when the statistics say that 30% - 50% of the people who are infected have no symptoms, or minimal symptoms, that they don’t pay much attention to, and people get the idea that the virus is gone, but that’s wrong. Hopefully what’s happening is that we’re slowing down the dissemination of the virus so that we’re not overwhelming the health care system. (continued on next page)

PRIME TIME

Life After COVID-19 Isolation (cont.)

(continued from previous page)

Dr. Muraida: The start of May to end isolation is way too soon. I would love to be able to be in the office doing things I normally do.

I think that if history repeats itself and we make mistakes from the past, such as during the Spanish flu epidemic, that if we relax our social distancing too soon and or gather together too closely, then we will have a second wave. Because we’ve been through the first wave and sort of survived it, we tend to think, “Oh well, we’ve done it once, we can do it again.” But more people take less stringent cautions and we will be more apt to spread, and that doesn’t even include the people that are asymptomatic.

Now I’d say we’re looking at probably the end of May, beginning of June (for some isolation orders to be lifted). Businesses should start reopening with the tiered approach.

Maybe restaurants opening at 20% capacity, or open-air dining only, and those kinds of things.

PT: Is there any way you can be tested to see if you have been exposed to the virus?

Dr. Ramo: In the future, we will be administering antibody tests, and they have those now and are starting to disseminate them, and that will tell whether you have the infection. We think the presence of that antibody, based on what we know about infectious disease, will be protective. The two things that are necessary is widespread testing, and that should be immediate so that we know what’s going on in our communities, and secondly, there will be the ability to test to see whether you’ve been infected. That may very well be something that provides some sort of consolation and some reassurance if a high percentage of the population are antibody positive. I say that with the caveat that we just don’t know for sure because this is so new.

Ultimately, most people will be exposed to the virus, and the general feeling is that unless we have a vaccine, you really have to have a “herd immunization.”

You have to have enough people immunized so that there is some inherent immunity. The reason we’re not getting the measles, for example, is because we have a herd immunity.

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Dr. Muraida: It will be based on the availability of tests. We think that everybody who becomes infected will eventually develop antibodies to this. Depending on how we get them, we have an acute antibody formation, and then a chronic antibody formation.

It’s sort of like memory cells that tell you, “Oh yeah, I’ve seen this before, and now I know what to do.” It really depends on how strong or vital someone’s immune system is to produce adequate amounts to fight the infection. Can we develop tests fast enough to be effective enough to overcome what we think would be a second wave in the fall? That depends on our technology. It’s going to be a struggle, and I think we need to ramp up our efforts now in the midst of dealing with this acute phase.

PT: Do you have any advice as we venture forward into this new normal?

Dr. Ramo: Fundamentally during this time, people need to maintain their health, regardless of the fear of the virus: eating a

May 2020

7

Mediterranean type of diet, not smoking, figuring out ways to reduce stress, making sure they’re taking the medicines they’re supposed to be taking, and trying to reduce the anxiety that everybody is experiencing during this time.

Dr. Muraida: I’ve seen some encouraging things during all of this: I’ve already noticed that people have tended to be more friendly, even walking great distances apart. So, it’s showing the humanity in each of us and how we’re looking out for one another, waving, smiling, even greeting each other with a, “How are you?” and “Hope you’re doing well, and stay safe.” We weren’t doing that before. I think that points to the fact that we’re all in this together, and that by staying away, ironically, we’re getting closer to each other. Gov. Lujan should be commended for the leadership and direction she’s providing. It is going to, in the long run, save many a New Mexican life. I salute her and couldn’t be more proud to be a New Mexican at this point.

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May 2020

Remembering Bronson Cutting

By Shannon Wagers

to withdraw. He never returned to complete his degree.

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The Cutting family had been active in the Progressive wing of the Republican party in New York and were personal friends of President Theodore Roosevelt and his family, so it was inevitable that Bronson Cutting would become involved in the political life of his adopted state. He was not, however, unwaveringly loyal to the Republicans. He backed candidates of either party whom he believed shared his Progressive ideals of clean government, fair elections, and respect for the rights of minorities.

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Cutting was born at Oakdale, Long Island, N.Y., on June 23, 1888, on his family’s sprawling 931-acre estate. His father was a self-made millionaire who made his fortune in a variety of business ventures, primarily real estate development. Bronson was the third of four children.

He attended Harvard College, where he excelled academically.

Midway through his junior year he contracted tuberculosis and had

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Like so many others stricken with the disease, he sought relief in the dry climate of the Southwest.

He arrived in Santa Fe in 1910 accompanied by an older sister who acted as his caregiver during his illness. Soon his health began to improve, and by the end of the year he had purchased land and started construction on a rambling Spanish-style house he christened “Los Siete Burros.” It became his home for the rest of his life.

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S R U O E K I L YL I M AF R U O Y TA E R T E W

omebound like all of us during the present pandemic, I’ve been devoting some of my abundant free time to reading Richard Lowitt’s meticulously researched biography, Bronson M. Cutting: Progressive Politician (UNM Press, 1992) and learning a great deal more about this remarkable New Mexican than I ever knew before. This month marks the 85th anniversary of Cutting’s untimely death, so it might be an appropriate time to review some of the highlights of his life, gleaned from Lowitt’s book.

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He quickly realized that to be an effective politician in New Mexico it was necessary to speak Spanish, and so he set about learning the language and became proficient in a few months. As a result, he was widely regarded as simpático by Hispanic citizens of all social classes. In 1912, he purchased the Santa Fe New Mexican and harnessed the newspaper’s influential voice to promote the causes and candidates he favored.

Some critics have charged that he used his inherited wealth to play the role of a spoiler in state politics and that he cynically manipulated Hispanic voters as shamelessly as the old-time patrones he claimed to deplore. That seems harsh. I’d prefer to think that he was genuinely interested in the welfare of all New Mexicans. He clearly wasn’t out to line his own pockets; he didn’t need to.

When the U.S. entered the First World War in 1917, Cutting volunteered and was commissioned a captain and assigned to the Army’s Military Intelligence Division in London. At the war’s end he returned to civilian life in New Mexico, where he became an organizer for the American Legion and an advocate for veterans. He continued to publish the New Mexican and to support progressive causes.

Cutting was equally at home among rural New Mexicans and the sophisticates of Santa Fe’s arts community. He was a handsome man, an impeccable dresser, a witty conversationalist, and an accomplished pianist. Women were naturally drawn to him, but he seemed indifferent to their flirtations.

He never married or had any romantic involvement with women,

which led to rumors—probably true—that he was gay. His political enemies gleefully composed scurrilous ditties about his alleged sexual proclivities.

Although friends urged him to run for office, he declined to do so, preferring to stay out of the limelight as much as possible. Possibly he did not want his personal life to come under too much public scrutiny.

Fate propelled him into high office anyway. In December 1927, New Mexico’s senior senator, Andrieus A. Jones, died in office, and Gov. Richard C. Dillon appointed Cutting to replace him. The following year Cutting ran for the seat and won handily, rumors about his sex life notwithstanding.

The onset of the Great Depression was disastrous for Republicans, and the party lost control of most statewide offices. But Cutting’s popularity crossed party lines and he won re-election in 1934, again by a comfortable margin. He remained in the Senate until his death.

The end came in the early morning hours May 6, 1935, near the town of Kirksville, Mo., as he was flying back to Washington for an important vote in the Senate later that day. Bad weather had prevented his plane from making a scheduled stop in Kansas City and it was running low on fuel. The pilot dropped beneath the cloud cover searching for an airport where he could land. In the fog and darkness, he flew too low and one wing clipped the ground.

The plane flipped over, and Cutting was killed, along with the pilot and several other passengers. He was just 46 years old. We’ll never know what he might have accomplished for New Mexico had his life not been cut short.

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May 2020

For A Healthy Life

Barry W. Ramo, MD, FACC • Director New Heart Fitness and Health • Cardiologist, New Mexico Heart Institute/Lovelace Medical Group

Navigating To Better Health During The Pandemic for maximum daily intake or no more than drink or one glass of wine a day for females and drinking no more than two drinks a day for males.

Start by eliminating the factors in your life that make you feel bad. Social media and the 24/7 news ae at the top of the list. The uncertainty about tomorrow or next week makes us insecure, worried and anxious. Social media is filled with misinformation or lies. Turn off your TV and stop surfing the internet. Don’t worry that you will miss something. if there is a cure or vaccine, you will hear about it. If your anxiety is incapacitating, make an appointment for a video chat with your doctor for reassurance and possible medication.

Think about what you are eating since you have been stuck at home. If there was ever a time that you want to make sure that you and your family are getting proper nutrition, it is when you are stressed. You want to fortify your immune system with a nutritious diet. Many people sheltered at home are eating poorly. We are seeing a large demand for cookies, mac and cheese, and canned and dried meat. Bloomberg reported that in the middle of April, popcorn and pretzel sales role nearly 50% and chips by 30% compared to last year. The time of stress may not be a time to lose weight, but it can be a time to make healthy foods your comfort foods. The CDC recommends that you keep a 2-week supply of food but that doesn’t mean ice cream, chips and cookies. I recommend a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits and vegetables, olive oil and legumes as a source of protein. I know it is sometime hard to find fresh produce, but frozen vegetables and fruits are just as nutritious. You can find all you need to know about the Mediterranean diet on the internet.

Mayo.org has an excellent one.

The New York Times has a superb cooking app that has all kinds of recipes that are focused on what you have in your pantry.

Alcohol sales have risen dramatically since the stay at home orders have taken affect. I think that is translating into more alcohol consumption. Are you drinking more alcohol? Are you drinking to help you face the current problems?

Just because you don’t have a drinking problem doesn’t mean alcohol is not harmful. The World Health Organization warns that too much alcohol can impair your immunity making you less resistant to the virus. Additionally, although it seems obvious, drinking alcohol won’t protect you from the corona virus. (just because you use it to clean your hands). If you are a sober alcoholic, times like this may weaken your will power. You may want to check out AA online. If you don’t have a drinking problem, you should still limit your alcohol intake. The CDC recommendations

This shelter at home time is a great time to get fit. I know you have wanted to do it before you were isolated but never have.

Instead of sitting in front of the TV or spending hours surfing the internet, use the time you have, and you have plenty of it, to get into shape. Exercise has powerful positive effects on your how you feel mentally as well as physically.

With even modest exercise, you will sleep better, be less angry and less stressed. If you are depressed, exercise can help bring you out of it. At New Heart, New Heart Exercises. the medical gym where I am medical director, you can get started right now with some online aerobic and strength training exercise videos that our members love. I would also recommend a book about’ my friend Justice Ruth Ginsberg’s work out by her trainer.

M

ay 2020 The COVID-19 epidemic’s impact has created significant mental health problems. While the isolation produced by the stay at home policy has slowed the spread of COVID-19 the policy and the economic impact of COVID 19 has produced enormous stress.

The impact of isolation may haves infected our psyche faster than the virus has spread. Much of the complaints I hear from my patients are about things they can’t change.

I tell them to focus on the one thing you can impact using this time to improve your health

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It is called the RBG Workout. It has a wonderful workout plan for seniors that she follows. It is a perfect book for home exercise. She is 86 and has used the program for 30 years.

If nothing else take a 30-minute walk outside with your mask and a six-foot distance from others Smoking cigarettes and/or vaping are both serious hazards especially during this epidemic.

Smokers are more likely to die from COVID-19 and more likely to require a ventilator if they get the illness. In China the mortality in men was markedly higher in men than in women. While we are not sure yet about a clear reason for this difference, fewer than 2% of Chinese women smoke cigarettes but 50% of men do. Women have 2 X chromosomes and that is where the immunity areas of the genome lies. So, for many reasons, now is the time to quit both smoking and

vaping. One good resource to help you is 800-quitnow.

The pandemic may be one of the hardest times many of us will face. The health and the economic implications are enormous. While you may have little control over some things you can use this time at home to change your health and that of your families for the better, forever. Carpe Diem.

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LIC # 350669 Call Peter @ 505 688-8520 Visit us at: currentsecurityandelectric.com Handyman - Swamp cooler, winterized, electrical, plumbing, carpentry. Affordable door and window replacement, bath and kitchen remodels.

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You will love the great split floor plan of this charming single-wide home located in the Albuquerque Meadows age 55+ Mobile Home Community. With the guest bedroom and bath at the front end of the home and the master bedroom and bath at the back end, your overnight guests will have their own quarters when they visit! From the deck, enter into the nice-sized living room that flows into a dining room that Call Us for Cooler Start-Ups and includes a large serving bar and Conversion to Refrigerated Air lots of cabinets. The large kitchen has lots of cabinets and counter space and all the appliances, including the washer and dryer, Heating and Air Conditioning will stay. The guest bathroom has Plumbing a tub/shower combination and the master bathroom has a walk-in shower, double sinks, and a taller Lic. #034393 toilet. This home is cooled and www.ANCAE.com heated with a heat pump, has a ramp in the carport, and there is a HOMES FOR SALE shed for your extras. Call Pat or Craig at (505) 821-1991.

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Call Home Instead Senior Care if you are looking for meaningful work. Help us support our community seniors in staying vital and independent! Ask for Kathy or Bernadette at 884-0353 for more information and to set up an interview.

Rate - $1 per word, $10 minimum Box Border - Additional $10 Bold First Line - Additional $5 Photo - Additional $5 Call 880-0470

Enjoy two fabulous decks... the back deck with a view of the Sandia Mountains!

The large living room has a ceiling fan and ceramic tile floors. The kitchen has lots of pretty counters and counter space. The newer stainless steel appliances, including the washer and dryer, will stay. The master bedroom has a walk-in closet, a ceiling fan, and is large enough to accommodate a king-size bed. The master bathroom has double sinks, a large linen closet, and a walk-in shower. The guest bedroom has a walk-in closet and the guest bathroom has a tub/ shower. There is a great workshop with electricity that could also be used as a shed. Priced at $29,900, this cute single-wide home located in the Albuquerque Meadows age 55+ Mobile Home Community won’t last long! Call Pat or Craig at (505) 821-1991.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION – RESERVE IT NOW! This beautiful new CAVCO home is in the park and will be ready for you in just a few weeks! Relax on the front porch and enjoy your morning coffee. Cathedral ceilings accentuate the open floor plan that includes a large living room that flows into the dining room.

Located in the front of the home, the kitchen brags of new stainless steel appliances, plenty of cabinet & counter space, and room for a breakfast table. This home has 2 guest bedrooms and a master bedroom that can accommodate a king-sized bed and has a walkin closet and a ceiling fan. The master bathroom has double sinks and a walk-in shower.

Your overnight visitors will enjoy the nice guest bathroom that has a tub/shower combination.

Located in the Albuquerque Meadows age 55+ Mobile Home Community. This home comes with a manufacturer’s one-year warranty, tape & textured walls, refrigerated air, a covered carport and a nice TufShed! Call Pat or Craig at (505) 821-1991. (stock photo)

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The City of Albuquerque Department of Senior Affairs RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) is recruiting volunteers 55 years of age and older for the following opportunities.

For more information call 767-5225.

Senior Transportation Ride Coordinator Answer phones, confirm ride requests and match rider and driver. (Coordinate rides).

Enter information into the data base, complete rider intakes over the phone and mail packets. Volunteer must have good phone etiquette, patient, and be familiar with data entry. You must take an Abuse Awareness training class.

2-3 volunteers are needed 2.5 hours per day, 5 days per week. For more information call 767-5225.

CASA (City of Albuquerque Senior Affairs) Kitchen Looking for volunteers to support a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen that prepares food for seniors in the community. Hours are anytime between 4:00a.m. – 12p.m, Monday through Friday. Participate in preparation and distribution of food. Follow proper procedures in handling of food, portion control, sanitation, nutritional requirements and safety procedures. Some food handling experience is preferable; however volunteers will be trained for areas of help where are needed. Most volunteer activities will involve food prep (slicing, dicing, serving, and packaging) and kitchen sanitation (wiping, sweeping,

PRIME TIME

May 2020

Classifieds mopping and dish washing).

Call the RSVP office at 505-767-5225 for more information.

The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) Advisory Council Needs members to join its efforts in promoting awareness and educating the community about FGP and senior issues. Council members advocate on behalf of FGP volunteers, evaluate the Program’s effectiveness, and assist in the recognition of Foster Grandparents by raising funds and in-kind resources. The Council currently meets once a month at the Barelas Senior Center.

For more information call 767-6412.

Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) is looking for volunteers age 55 and older who are interested in making a difference in a child’s life. Foster Grandparent volunteers must be willing to serve an average of 20 hours per week and must be able to pass a background check, physical, and tuberculosis test. Foster Grandparent volunteers serve one-on-one with children, working with them to build their social and emotional development as well as help improve their literacy skills.

Volunteers receive mileage reimbursement, supplemental liability insurance, meals while on duty, pre-service and monthly trainings, and recognition throughout the year. Volunteers can also receive a small stipend if they meet the income guidelines.

Crossword

Ombudsman Program Ombudsmen are advocates and problem solvers for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Please apply if you are looking for a rewarding experience that makes a difference in the lives of the elderly.

Time commitment: 3 hours per week, any day MondayFriday. For more information call 767-5225.

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DOWN 1. Grouch 2. Victor __ 3. Statue substances 4. __ person; apiece 5. Be ambitious 6. Rear 7. Semester or trimester 8. House member: abbr.

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11. Student’s concern 12. Old man: Ger. 13. Act 19. Pocatello product 21. __ and aft 24. Paper handler’s ouchies 25. Atop 26. “__ For All Seasons” 27. Pacific island group 28. Have a nervous breakdown 29. Overwhelming victories 30. Fling 32. Diner on TV’s “Alice” 33. First name for a tyrant 35. Hardy heroine 37. Went under 38. Crucifix inscription 40. Looks after 41. Invisible emanation 43. Spanish nut-bearers 44. Pan and others 46. Strained food 47. Slant 48. Capital city 49. For a second time 50. Actress Russo 52. Steals from 53. Gaelic 55. Arafat’s group: abbr.

56. Greedy one 57. __ pro nobis

ACROSS 1. Fellow 5. Athlete from Texas 10. Rosary piece 14. Bylaw 15. Direct 16. Wheel rod 17. Seaweed derivative 18. Commit, as a crime 20. Hope, for one 21. Business 22. Holding a .22 23. Oak-to-be 25. Western Amerindian 26. Promise 28. Gives the letters of a word 31. Non-glossy finish 32. Unimportant 34. Relevant 36. City near Des Moines 37. Jetta or Taurus 38. Pertaining to 39. Eur. nation 40. Flower that grows from a bulb 41. Huge mountain range 42. Fluttering trees 44. Accessories 45. Cuttlefish secretion 46. Danger 47. __ X 50. Ms. Lee 51. Wrath 54. Outer part of the earth’s atmosphere 57. Mustiness 58. Word of agreement 59. Friendless one 60. Yanks’ foes, once 61. Repairs a tear 62. Curved moldings 63. Small fox from Africa

Department of Senior Affairs Home Services is looking for volunteers to assist with yard work, minor home repairs, painting, building of wheel chair ramps and modified steps.

Experience in minor home repairs and yard cleaning the use of yard tools, shovels, rakes and painting preferred but not required. Days/hours are open depending on volunteer.

Time commitment: M-F 7:30-3:00. On the job training will be provided.

Mileage reimbursement is available to RSVP volunteers.

RSVP is part of Senior Corps and is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).

The purpose of RSVP is to recruit senior volunteers into public, government and non-profit organizations to meet community needs. For information on these and more volunteer opportunities call 767-5225.

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CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Call 764-6412 for more information and to apply today.

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12 May 2020

Do Pneumonia Vaccines Protect Seniors From Coronavirus?

D

ear Savvy Senior, Do currently offered vaccines against pneumonia provide seniors any protection against the coronavirus disease? I’ve always been bad about getting vaccinated, but this coronavirus pandemic is causing me to change my thinking.

Pro-Vax Patty Dear Patty, This is a great question. Because the coronavirus (COVID-19) ANSWER TO #5140

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attacks the lungs and respiratory system, many readers have asked whether the pneumonia vaccines, which are administered to millions of patients each year, might protect someone if they contract the coronavirus.

But unfortunately, the answer is no. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus.

This virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are in the process of rapidly developing a vaccine against COVID-19, but it is expected to take at least a year before it’s ready.

Having said that, you should also know that there are several other important vaccines the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all seniors should get up to date on after the coronavirus pandemic dies down. Here’s a rundown of what they are, when you should get them, and how they’re covered

by Medicare.

Flu vaccine: While annual flu shots are recommended each fall to everyone, they are very important for older adults to get because seniors have a much greater risk of developing dangerous flu complications.

According to the CDC, last year up to 647,000 people were hospitalized and 61,200 died because of the flu – most of whom were age 65 and older.

To improve your chances of escaping the seasonal flu, this September or October consider a vaccine specifically designed for people 65 and older. The Fluzone High Dose or FLUAD are the two options that provide extra protection beyond what a standard flu shot offers. And all flu shots are covered under Medicare Part B. Pneumococcal vaccine: As previously stated, this vaccine protects against pneumonia, which hospitalizes around 250,000 Americans and kills about 50,000 each year. It’s recommended that all seniors, 65 or older, get two separate vaccines – PCV13 (Prevnar 13) and PPSV23 (Pneumovax 23). Both vaccines, which are administered one year apart, protect against different strains of the bacteria to provide maximum protection. Medicare Part B covers both shots if they are taken at least a year apart.

Shingles vaccine: Caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox, shingles is a painful, blistering skin rash that affects more than 1 million Americans every year.

All people over age 50 should get the new Shingrix vaccine, which is given in two doses, two to six months apart. Even if you’ve already had shingles, you should still get this vaccination because

reoccurring cases are possible.

The CDC also recommends that anyone previously vaccinated with Zostavax be revaccinated with Shingrix because it’s significantly more effective.

All Medicare Part D prescription drug plans cover shingles vaccinations, but coverage amounts, and reimbursement rules vary depending on where the shot is given. Check your plan.

Tdap vaccine: A one-time dose of the Tdap vaccine, which covers tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) is recommended to all adults. If you’ve already had a Tdap shot, you should get a tetanus-diphtheria (Td) booster shot every 10 years. All Medicare Part D prescription drug plans cover these vaccinations.

Other Vaccinations Depending on your health conditions, preferences, age and future travel schedule, the CDC offers a “What Vaccines Do You Need?” quiz at www2.CDC.gov/ nip/adultimmsched to help you determine what additional vaccines may be appropriate for you. You should also talk to your doctor during your next visit about which vaccinations you should get.

To locate a site that offers any of these vaccines, visit VaccineFinder. org and type in your location.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

PRIME TIME

May 2020

but you can change that if you want. When I first started in the bug business over 40 years ago, I had a morbid fear of spiders, or arachnophobia.

Ask The Bugman Email questions to AskTheBugman.com or call (505)385-2820

M

ost homes have a dozen or more spiders living in them at any given time, and they will eat all the bugs they can find. Plus, they are much more efficient than someone who comes to your home and sprays toxic pesticides.

These little tenants will live under furniture, in closets, corners, basements, attics, garages, sheds or other outbuildings, where they will also reduce unwanted bugs. So, if you have spiders in your home, there is no reason to evict them.

Spiders are our friends.

Of course, if you are afraid of spiders, you may want to remove them so you can relax. A lot of people have a fear of spiders,

Arachnophobia comes from the Greek words, “Arachne,” meaning “spider,” and “phobos,” meaning “a fear.” The fear of spiders may have had its roots in Europe during the Middle Ages.

Spiders were considered a source of contamination, and any food that came into contact with them was considered poisoned. If they fell into the water, it was thought to be undrinkable. Spiders were originally thought to spread the plague (Black Death) by biting people. Fear of the plague clouded people’s perceptions of spiders, and they were blamed for all sorts of illnesses and epidemics simply because they were present.

I am not a psychologist and will not try to tell you how to overcome your fear of spiders if you have such a fear. I will tell you what worked for me. When I got into the bug business in 1972, I didn’t know a cockroach from a caterpillar, and I was deathly afraid of spiders. The first time I had to crawl under a house I was

paralyzed with fear. I decided then and there if I was going to be successful, I would have to overcome it. I started by reading all the literature I could about spiders.

I watched them spin their webs and stalk their prey. Finally, after several weeks I let one crawl on me. It didn’t bite me and I didn’t have a heart attack. I went under houses and crawled through their webs. It was a bit disconcerting at first, but soon I had no fear of them at all. That is when I decided I needed to know them better. Now I have no problem crawling through hundreds of spider webs under a house and I often pick up black widows and never get bitten.

Although most spiders possess venom glands, most are too small to break the skin with their fangs and have no desire to do so.

All spiders will bite in selfdefense if they are handled carelessly.

Most bites occur when people roll over in bed on one and get bitten or

when they put on their clothes and a spider inside the clothing bites when pressed against the skin. I am not saying all spiders are harmless.

Black widows are certainly capable of producing a serious bite, and any such bite by this spider should be considered a major medical emergency. The brown recluse is also dangerously venomous but rarely bites.

You can spray spiders with Environmental Protection Agency exempt pesticides, which are safe. You can also repel them by spraying areas with peppermint essential oil.

If you have any pest questions, email me at askthebugman2013@ gmail.com or call me at 505-385-2820.

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PRIME TIME

14 May 2020

Dr. Gerard Muraida

The Doc Is In Dr. Muraida is a Hospice and Palliative Care Specialist.

A

s I begin this article, snow is falling and it feels more like late January than midApril. It’s a bit unsettling, but these are unsettling times. Who would have thought we would be sheltering at home?

The year 1918 saw a similar situation, when the Spanish flu was rampant in America. In the fall of that year, U.S troops were returning from World War I in Europe, bringing with them the “new virus.” The virus entered the U.S. via the East Coast as returning GIs were arriving in Boston, New York and Philadelphia. Westward transmission followed.

The dilemma was how to combat this disease without a vaccine, treatment or even without knowledge of how it spread. (It was later determined that crowded military

Unsettling Times barracks and massive movement of troops assisted in its transmission.)

Cities were panic-stricken, and politics overshadowed public health concerns. The public health director of Philadelphia assured the public that the flu was confined to the military base and the city was safe. A patriotic parade was scheduled to travel a twomile stretch of the city, with thousands of citizens lining the streets. It was to be a show of patriotism and would raise war-bond money. Just 72 hours later, the 31 hospitals of Philadelphia were at capacity, and over 2,000 Philadelphians would die before week’s end. Philadelphia’s deaths totaled more than 20,000.

The public health response in St. Louis couldn’t have been more different. Before the first reported case of Spanish flu in the city, St Louis’ health commissioner alerted local physicians and wrote an editorial in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about the importance of avoiding crowds. As expected, the outbreak arrived at a nearby military barracks and began to spill into the St. Louis civilian population. Schools, movie theaters, and eating and drinking establishments were closed, and all public gatherings were banned. Business owners protested, but the local officials didn’t

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budge. Hospitals didn’t reach capacity, and many infected residents of St. Louis were treated at home by a cadre of volunteer nurses.

The peak mortality rate of St. Louis was one-eighth of Philadelphia’s peak death rate. But St. Louis escaped unscathed. A third wave hit in late winter and early spring, causing many more deaths. Social distancing worked, but the duration was too short.

This year, as response to COVID-19 is similar, we should all be wearing nose and mouth coverings. Masks and gloves will be the new formal wear.

In 1918, when the Spanish flu ravaged our country from coast to coast, California Gov. William Stephens declared that it was the “patriotic duty of every American citizen” to wear a gauze mask. San Francisco eventually made it the law. Citizens caught in public without a mask or wearing one improperly were arrested, charged with disturbing the peace and fined $5.

Truth be told, the gauze masks of that time probably were ineffective, but the early stringent quarantine of military troops, closures of schools and banning of public gatherings should be credited for limiting the loss of life.

Still, San Francisco’s luck wasn’t all rosy. In January 1919, believing masks were what saved them the first time, businesses and theater owners fought back against public gathering orders.

As a result, San Francisco ended up suffering some of the highest death rates from Spanish flu nationwide. A 2007 analysis of the Spanish flu found that if San Francisco had kept all of its anti-flu protections in place through the spring of 1919, it could have reduced deaths by 90 percent.

While we look to the future with eagerness and hope to be free of contagions like COVID-19, let us be thankful for our state and local government’s rapid, courageous and precisely planned response. Let us also be thankful to our neighbors and friends who understand how vital it is to maintain social distancing for some time longer, for cleaning all that we may touch, and of course, for washing our hands incessantly.

The month of May brings more hand-washing, more mask wearing and most importantly, more New Mexicans surviving this pandemic.

Our goal is to unsettle this virus from our midst. Be safe, continue to follow our governor’s shelter at home guidelines, and be well.

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May 2020

Shellie Rosen, DOM

Herb Doc

Shellie Rosen is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine. She can be reached via her website at Bodyvolve.com

T

he Coronavirus pandemic presents what some would call a ‘VUCA”

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Journal Strategy For Uncertain and Complex Times challenge. VUCA stands for Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous. It was a term primarily used by the U.S. Army War College until the attacks of September 11, 2001. VUCA became a model for individuals and businesses seeking to make sense of the confusion. The goal was to

identify challenging areas while considering a flexible action plan.

Many folks are experiencing Coronavirus information overload.

Whether your confusion is related to health, finances, security, or supply chain stability for goods and services, you aren’t alone! Framing

issues brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic in the four VUCA categories can be a healthy journaling exercise helping to reduce stress. This exercise helps anyone quickly and strategically organize anxious thoughts and shift into action. Abundant Blessings Dr. Shellie L. Rosen, DOM, L.Ac.

Here is an example of how the quadrants can be used to map life and health concerns.

Volatile: The dynamics of change “I help take care of my grandkids but I’m not sure when it will be safe to have them at my home. While they aren’t here I wish I could be recovering from my knee surgery!”

Uncertain: Lack of predictability “I need my knee replaced and I have no idea when my doctor will let me reschedule my appointment. I don’t know how to make plans for the future and how I’ll get help.”

Action: Plan for the ups and the downs.

“Maybe I focus on planning ahead in case I can get a surgery soon. I’ll freeze some easy meals to eat while recovering!”

Action: Study reliable sources.

“Maybe I can research physical therapy exercises to reduce my pain and to help with post-surgery.”

Complex: Interworking systems “My kids really need me. They have the grandkids home from school and they’re nervous about finances. I want to help, and I don’t know if I can or how.”

Ambiguous: Lack of clarity “When the ‘stay at home’ is lifted will it be safe for my family to come over? What precautions will we have to take and for how long?

Action: Network when solving problems.

“Maybe I can have the grandkids help me learn how to do online ordering so I can order groceries for their home and mine.”

Action: Test/question assumptions “I’m willing to wear a mask until there are no new cases to be able to see my family.”

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